We all hear the ‘S’ word banded about, but what do we really do about being more ‘Sustainable’?

In truth we make excuses not to be green.

Here are a few easy ways you can lift your ‘Green’ credentials.

Many ‘green’ issues are based around the simple principle of conservation. If we save the energy we make we don’t need to make more energy, we limit the demand. So conserve in order to preserve.

When you insulate the loft why not use a sheep’s’ wool insulation (Thermafleece), or a recycled newspaper (Warmcell). Both are clean and green, both every bit as good as the more synthetic alternatives, but they don’t use anything like as much fossil fuel to create them.

Use paints that are made using natural materials and not oil derivatives, these paints are made with ingredients such as chalk, clay, linseed and bergamot oil.
(Primasol and Levasol).

Save Water

I’m not on a meter, why should I bother? We should all bother, water prices will rise if we don’t conserve our resources, we could then run out, we are on an island!

During the past two decades the demand for water for our homes, industry and agriculture has been steadily increasing, resulting in recent water shortages in some parts of Britain.
Forecasts suggest that this upward trend will continue and this, together with the effects of global warming and the climatic uncertainties of the future, increase the need to conserve and carefully manage our water supplies.

It is relatively easy to reduce demand for water in buildings substantially while maintaining modern hygiene standards.

The first step in water conservation comprises simple and probably familiar measures such as showering instead of bathing, turning off taps and maintaining taps and appliances.

The next step is to install or specify water-efficient appliances.

The WC typically uses 30 – 40% of total household water use, and even more in commercial premises, so the potential for water saving is huge. Reducing the water use of conventional toilets can make them fairly ineffective and unhygienic. Ultra-efficient toilets are specifically designed to operate effectively at low flush volumes, and are by far the best solution for reducing toilet water use.

Garden usage and hosepipe bans!

Garden use only accounts for about 6% of average domestic consumption but most of this occurs in dry summers when water supplies are most stressed. Simple conservation measures can make a big difference. Mulching the bare soil can reduce the need for water, pouring the washing up water over the border is a great use of what is normally considered waste.
Rainwater can be saved in water butts, but for many people, particularly with small gardens, water butts can take up an excessive amount of space and look rather inelegant. Wall mounted butts are available. ‘Glee Best’ won a new product award for their wall mounted Butt that can hold 100 litres and doesn’t take up much space.

Window Replacement

Window replacement… chose wisely there are lots of claims about windows. I consider timber is the most sustainable, or a timber Aluminium mix, the best of both worlds, no maintenance and made from a renewable resource, or at least very recyclable.
What criteria should you apply when choosing windows?

To minimise…
* Impact on natural resources
* Level of CO2 emissions in production and recycling
* Use and emissions of toxic materials.

Glass

Low ‘E’, (emissivity glass) is the buzzword’ in glazing these days, as is self-cleaning.
Low E double-glazing units offer improvements of over 60% in thermal insulation when compared with ordinary double-glazing. This means 60% less heat loss through windows and doors. Even compared with some other energy saving glasses, low E is over 30% more efficient.
Low E glass is a micro thin layer of silver alloys on the inside of the glazing unit which acts as a heat reflective layer allowing solar radiation into the building, but minimising heat loss. The coating also has the additional benefit of largely filtering out ultra-violet rays, thus reducing glare and minimising fabric fade.

Pilkington do a ‘K’ glass and Solar Glass (Saint Gobain) also has a Low E glass ‘Cool Lite’, (the E stands for Emissivity- the amount of radiation reflected back).

Timber Treatment

When we do that loft conversion or the extension we can use a better solution than the standard solvent and heavy metal based preservatives.

Many people are concerned about toxic chemicals in the home, and particularly those used in the course of building or renovation work. In fact, conventional timber preservatives may be one of the worst causes of this indoor pollution, causing potential problems during application, and for years afterwards as they ‘off-gas’ out of the timber.

Yet an alternative is available, which is both highly effective and remarkably safe.
Inorganic compounds of the naturally occurring element, Boron, have long been known to prevent or eradicate fungal and insect attack in timber. Inorganic borates really are the answer to all those concerned about the health and environmental impact of conventional timber preservation.

Boron based timber preservatives, are available for the retail and professional market, as well as natural alternatives to exterior treatments such as creosote and tanalith treatment. (CCA (Copper, Chrome and Arsenic!))

What ever you plan to do to your home, there is a ‘greener’ option and the health benefits and the environmental benefits will offset the slightly higher price of being ‘green’.
Use the ‘internet’ to source products and download information to compare prices and availability of products. Type in Green building products and you’ll find hundreds to chose from.

If your home had a label on it, next to the barcode, like a food packet, what would it say about your attitude to the environment?